NEW YORK -- Mired in an 0-for-14 slump, Brock Holt was out of the lineup for the series finale with the New York Yankees Thursday night.
With Holt sitting, the Red Sox had Josh Rutledge at second base.
"I think he's been pitched to a little bit,'' observed John Farrell of Holt. "I think there's been a lot of off-speed early in the count against him. Righthanders have attacked a certain area, right underneath his swing -- breaking balls down-and-in. But I think what sometimes shows up when you get a long stretch of games for Brock is maybe the bat path might not be as consistent or the bat speed might not be the same.
"Like any player, he needs a breather every now and again. So today's it against a lefthander, CC (Sabathia).''
Beyond the recent 0-for-14 stretch, Holt has struggled at the plate since the All-Star break. In the second half, Holt's slash line is .211/.220/.246 with just four RBI in the last 16 games.